At the time of her setback, La Cresson-
nière was France's leading contender for
the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe itself. No
matter. Her owners would still end up
with the champion of Europe, Almanzor
having meanwhile won the Prix du Jock-
ey-Club and the Irish Champion Stakes. He
rounded off the season winning the Qipco
Champion Stakes at Ascot, shortly after a
deal was done by Augustin-Normand and
Caro to sell a half-share to a partnership
comprising SF Bloodstock and – yes, Etre-
ham. The rivals have become partners,
Goliath getting back to his feet and now
joining forces with the conquering David.
Almanzor will stay in training to fly the
flag for Wootton Bassett, whose own fee
is up to €20,000. Over at La Cauvinière,
meanwhile, Le Havre is now commanding
€60,000 per mare.
"I
t's a fantastic story of normal peo-
ple," says Alex with a smile, sitting
in the office at La Cauvinière. Framed on
the wall hangs a front page of Paris-Turf,
headlined: Le Havre - le Jockey-Club dans
un temps canon. In his quaint blend of
County and French accents, he recalls
Vidal stopping him in the street in Fethard
when he first arrived at Coolmore. "Are
you the new Frenchman?" Vidal demand-
ed. He fired a couple of questions on ped-
igrees and, satisfied, hauled Alex into the
pub to introduce him to Guinness. "We
became very good friends," Alex says.
"We both loved the breeding game, and
would meet every day to read Courses et
HARAS D'ETREHAM
